HLA Region Genetics in Immune-Mediated Diseases

RFA Number: RFA-AI-04-039

Update: The following update relating to this announcement has been issued:

• July 31, 2009 - This RFA has been reissued as (RFA-AI-09-030).
• November 23, 2004 (NOT-AI-05-008) - NIAID is amending RFA-AI-04-039 with an addendum to the announcement.

Key Dates
Release Date: September 28, 2004
Letters Of Intent Receipt Date(s): December 10, 2004
Application Receipt Dates(s): January 11, 2005
Peer Review Date(s): April, 2005 Council Review Date(s): June, 2005
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: July, 2005 Additional Information To Be Available Date (URL Activation Date): http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/budget/QA/rfa-04-039.htm (October 1, 2004)
Expiration Date: January 12, 2005

Due Dates for E.O. 12372 Not Applicable

Single institutions or consortia of institutions are invited to participate in a cooperative research group to define the association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region genes or genetic markers and immune-mediated diseases, including risk and severity of disease, and organ, tissue, and cell transplantation outcomes.

Approximately $2 million will be allocated to fund 1-4 new awards, using a cooperative agreement (U01 or U19) mechanism. Eligible institutions include for-profit or non-profit organizations; public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories; units of State and local governments; or eligible agencies of the Federal government. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the primary institution, but may enter into a consortium or subcontract with a domestic institution as the primary applicant. Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research is invited to work with their institution to develop an application as the principal investigator. Each applicant may submit only one application as a principal investigator. However, participation in multi-project applications (U19 mechanism) as a subcontractor or project leader is allowed if there is no scientific overlap with the application submitted as principal investigator.

Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001), available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive format. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 710-0267, Email: [email protected].

Table of Contents

Part I Overview Information

Part II Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Research Objectives

Section II. Award Information
1. Mechanism(s) of Support
2. Funds Available

Section III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
A. Eligible Institutions
B. Eligible Individuals
2.Cost Sharing
3. Other - Special Eligibility Criteria

Section IV. Application and Submission and Instructions
1. Address to Request Application Information
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
3. Submission Dates
A. Receipt and Review and Anticipated Start Dates
1. Letter of Intent
B. Sending an Application to the NIH
C. Application Processing
4. Intergovernmental Review
5. Funding Restrictions
6. Other Submission Requirements

Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
2. Review and Selection Process
3. Merit Review Criteria
A. Additional Review Criteria
B. Additional Review Considerations
C. Sharing Research Data
D. Sharing Research Resources

Section VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
A. Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award
1. Principal Investigator Rights and Responsibilities
2. NIH Responsibilities
3. Collaborative Responsibilities
4. Arbitration Process
3. Award Criteria
4. Reporting

Section VII. Agency Contact(s)
1. Scientific/Research Contact(s)
2. Peer Review Contact(s)
3. Financial/ Grants Management Contact(s)

Section VIII. Other Information - Required Federal Citations

PURPOSE:

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) invites applications from single institutions or consortia of institutions to participate in a cooperative research group to define the association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region genes or genetic markers and immune-mediated diseases, including risk and severity of disease, and organ, tissue, and cell transplantation outcomes.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:

Background:

The human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, known as human leukocyte antigens (HLA) genes, are located within a 4-megabase span on chromosome 6. The HLA region contains 224 identifiable genes, of which at least 128 are expressed, and more than 50 are involved in the immune response. The HLA genomic region is subdivided into: the HLA Class I region, including the classical HLA-A, -B, and -C genes, and the non-classical HLA-E, -F, and G genes, which exhibit a lower degree of polymorphism and are expressed on a more restricted set of cells than are the classical HLA Class I genes; the HLA Class II region, including HLA-DR, -DQ, and DP genes; and the HLA Class III region, which includes a diverse set of genes including those for complement components, inflammatory mediators, and other immune response genes. HLA Class I and II-encoded molecules present endogenously and exogenously derived peptides to T cells. HLA Class I molecules also serve as identification ligands for Killer Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIR) on natural killer cells.

The HLA gene complex is the most polymorphic region of the human genome, displaying an extraordinary degree of sequence variation between individuals, racial groups and ethnic populations. For example, more than 550 HLA-B gene alleles have been identified. In addition, investigators have noted intriguing correlations between the presence or absence of particular HLA alleles or haplotypes of alleles and the susceptibility to certain immune-mediated diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Decades of research on HLA gene polymorphisms have provided valuable insights into the role of HLA Class I and II gene disparities between donors and recipients in graft survival. Finally, associations have been demonstrated between immune-mediated disease risk and severity, and between transplant outcomes and polymorphisms in non-antigen-presenting genes encoded within the HLA gene locus (e.g., tumor necrosis factor).

In fiscal year (FY) 2000, NIAID, with co-sponsorship from several NIH institutes and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, began support of an integrated research program within the International Histocompatibility Working Group (IHWG). This program consists of research projects addressing the population diversity of the HLA gene complex; the association of genetic markers within the HLA region with autoimmune disease risk and severity; KIR diversity; and the degree of HLA allele donor-recipient matching required for optimum outcomes in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Through this large international effort, researchers have discovered new associations between genetic markers within the HLA complex and susceptibility to several autoimmune diseases. Researchers have also identified HLA mismatches, not evident by conventional serological typing, that increase risk for mortality, incidence of severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), or graft failure following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

One of the major outcomes of the IHWG research program is the development of a publicly accessible database housing the HLA-disease association genetic data. This database, called dbMHC (http://www.ncbi.nih.gov/mhc), was developed in a parallel effort with the NCBI and is continuously updated to provide optimum utilization by scientific and medical professionals and the public.

In March 2004, NIAID convened an expert panel to identify the most pressing scientific questions surrounding the role of HLA genetics in immune-mediated diseases. The focus of the discussion included factors common to multiple diseases, genetic variants, HLA population diversity, and considerations for translating HLA associations to the improvement of clinical outcomes. Despite progress on the role of HLA region genetic factors in disease susceptibility and progression, the panel concluded that continued collaborative work in this area was necessary and recommended the following: encourage the development of a broad-based consortium of researchers interested in studying inter-disease HLA genetics; continue efforts to identify, map, and associate genetic variants with various immune-mediated diseases, with an emphasis on population diversity; and continue populating dbMHC with high quality, high resolution HLA genetics data.

The NIAID Bioinformatics Information Support Contract (BISC) program was developed to provide access for all NIAID-supported investigators to high-quality bioinformatics technology support for projects involving complex data sets that may require special data handling capabilities. The pilot phase was completed in FY 2003, and an award is anticipated in September 2004. BISC is charged with developing progressive standards for data collection, curation, and exchange that can be adapted by NIAID-supported research programs. BISC will provide information technology support, software development, statistical analysis, and appropriate technical guidance for all HLA Region Genetics in Immune-Mediated Diseases Cooperative Research Group awardees. In addition, data submission to dbMHC will be facilitated by BISC. For more details concerning the involvement and responsibilities of BISC, please see COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AWARD; located in Section VI 2.A.

NIAID staff contact information for questions regarding BISC can be found under Section VII Agency Contacts.

Objective and Scope:

This RFA will support prospective and/or retrospective studies to investigate the role of HLA genetics in susceptibility to or protection from immune-mediated diseases, including autoimmune diseases and primary immunodeficiency diseases, GVHD, and graft rejection or survival in solid organ, tissue and cell transplantation. Research projects may address: (1) the association of HLA or KIR genes with susceptibility or resistance to immune-mediated diseases, including autoimmune diseases and primary immunodeficiency diseases (common variable immunodeficiency and IgA deficiency); (2) the correlation of transplant outcome with the level of donor-recipient HLA and/or KIR match or mismatch at the allele level, determined at a high resolution; (3) the discovery of new HLA complex gene and immune-mediated disease associations; and/or (4) the mechanistic basis of HLA loci-disease associations. The primary focus of the application must be on the correlation between HLA region genetics and immune-mediated diseases and/or transplantation outcomes. Studies examining racial-, ethnic-, or gender-specific HLA region genetic diversity related to disease susceptibility or transplant outcome are especially encouraged. Studies may examine polymorphisms in the coding and/or non-coding regions within the MHC locus. Multi-institutional projects are encouraged to provide the breadth and depth of expertise and research tools necessary to carry out the objectives of this RFA. The applicant will be responsible for all aspects of data collection, determination of optimal sample size for statistical power/validity, and, in collaboration with BISC, statistical analysis of study results (for a complete description of awardee scope responsibilities, see section below entitled COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AWARD; located in Section VI 2.A. Examples of responsive areas of research include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Associations between immune-mediated diseases or transplant outcomes, including solid organ transplantation, and (1) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or microsatellites (Msat) within the HLA locus; (2) non-HLA genes within the HLA locus; and/or (3) HLA locus gene dose effects associated with disease severity;
• Studies on the effect of varying degrees of HLA allele matching on outcomes in solid organ transplantation or GVHD in hematopoietic cell transplantation;
• Population studies defining the associations of HLA region polymorphisms and alleles with immune-mediated diseases; and
• HLA genetic and disease associations disproportionately affecting certain racial, ethnic, or gender groups.

Diseases to be studied may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Graft-versus-Host Disease
• Graft rejection and survival
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosis
• Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (e.g., Common Variable Immunodeficiency and IgA Deficiency)

This RFA will not support:

• Clinical trials; however, applicants may request support for clinical procedures to obtain patient samples provided these procedures and associated costs are strongly justified. Funding will not be approved for patient samples derived from routine patient care or that are a component of any clinical trial protocol
• Serology-based HLA typing projects, unless they are coupled to comparative studies of high-resolution gene-based HLA typing
• Development or analysis of animal models for HLA-related disease associations
• HLA association studies with infectious disease susceptibility or resistance
• Animal studies
• Type 1 Diabetes association studies
• Population diversity studies unless linked directly to immune-mediated disease prevalence or severity studies

The NIH (U01 and U19) are cooperative agreement award mechanisms. In the cooperative agreement mechanism, the Principal Investigator retains the primary responsibility and dominant role for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project, with NIH staff being substantially involved as a partner with the Principal Investigator, as described under the section VI. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements, "Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award".

The total project period for applications submitted in response to the RFA may not exceed five years. At this time, the NIAID has not determined the manner by which the research activities will be continued beyond the present RFA.

• For-profit or non-profit
• Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories
• Units of State and local governments
• Eligible agencies of the Federal government
• Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply

Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the primary institution, but may enter into a consortium or subcontract with a domestic institution as the primary applicant.

1.B. Eligible Individuals

Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research is invited to work with their institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH programs.

2. Cost Sharing

Not Applicable http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/nihgps_Part2.htm#matching_or_cost_sharing

Letters Of Intent Receipt Date(s): December 10, 2004
Application Receipt Dates(s): January 11, 2005
Peer Review Date(s): April, 2005
Council Review Date(s): June, 2005
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: July, 2005

• Descriptive title of proposed research
• Name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator
• Names of other key personnel
• Participating institutions
• Number and title of this funding opportunity

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.

The letter of intent is to be sent by the date listed at the beginning of this document.

The letter of intent should be sent to:

Dr. Kenneth Santora
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Room Number 3265, MSC 7616
6700-B Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892-7616
FEDEX ZIP: 20817-7616
Telephone: (301) 451-2605
FAX: (301) 402-2638
E-mail: [email protected]

Dr. Peter Jackson
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Room Number 3140, MSC 7616
6700-B Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892-7616
FEDEX ZIP: 20817-7616
Telephone: (301) 496-8426
FAX: (301) 402-2638
E-mail:[email protected]

All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. The Grants Policy Statement can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm (See also Section VI.3. Award Criteria)

This brochure presents specific instructions for sections of the PHS 398 (rev. 5/01) application form that should be completed differently than usual. For all other items in the application, follow the usual instructions in the PHS 398.

All applications must include:

1) a clear research plan(s) and project goal(s) to be completed during the award period. The applicant must clearly state the interim objectives and milestones (e.g. subject recruitment and data reporting) to be achieved during the project, identify impediments or critical decision points that could require a revision in the work plan, and provide a detailed timeline for the attainment of each goal;

2) a detailed description of the statistical considerations to be utilized in determining the sample size and statistical power/validity for the proposed studies and a justification for the required sample size for each proposed research project;

3) documentation of the scientific and technical expertise required to design, conduct, and analyze the proposed studies;

4) a description of study populations and, for prospective studies, demonstrated capacity to recruit human subjects. Human samples may be derived from ongoing, completed, or prospective clinical trials or studies in which samples were maintained for the expressed purpose of future genetic research or in which individuals are re-consented to allow use of specimens for this research. Support for clinical procedures to obtain samples that are not part of an associated clinical trial or study (e.g., additional biopsies) must be clearly described and strongly justified. In addition, applications must include documentation of the ability to acquire human samples and clinical data for the proposed studies. The NIH brochure entitled "Research on Human Specimens: Are You Conducting Research Using Human Subjects?" may be useful to applicants (http://www-cdp.ims.nci.nih.gov/policy.html). OHRP guidance on Repositories, Tissue Storage Activities and Data Banks should also be considered (http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/reposit.htm). IRB approval of the consent form(s) is not required at the time of submission of the application. However, at a minimum, a draft of the consent form to be used for the studies must be included, as well as the consent form for any associated clinical trial or study, if applicable.

5) detailed plans for data collection and quality assurance;

6) the name and qualifications of a statistician to serve as a liaison to BISC for interaction throughout the data submission, cleaning, and analysis phases;

7) a clear plan for interacting with BISC through the statistical liaison;

8) an outline of the process and format proposed for data submission to BISC; and

9) written commitment to: serve on the Steering Committee; adhere to the policies and decisions reached by the Steering Committee, including following the consensus data acquisition protocols and adjunct studies; and accept the participation and assistance of NIH staff in accordance with the guidelines discussed in Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award: NIAID Staff Responsibilities.

U19 Applications: Multi-project applications must provide: a clear and concise plan that depicts the interrelationships among the research groups, their relevant experience/expertise, and the contribution of each to fulfillment of the objectives of this RFA; and an organizational chart of the U19 cooperative group showing the name, organization, and scientific discipline of the PI and of all key scientific and technical personnel, as well as a discussion of lines of authority and plans for the coordination of research projects. If the application is from a consortium of institutions, the applicant must provide a plan to assure the maintenance of close cooperation and effective communication among members of the U19 cooperative group.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants are encouraged to contact NIAID program staff well in advance of the application submission date to discuss the proposed research program. Also this will allow staff to assess responsiveness to this RFA and provide appropriate guidance as needed with regard to this initiative. Discussion with program staff does not guarantee funding of an application.

1. Research Project Milestones/Interim Objectives

All research projects will have defined interim objectives and milestones (e.g., subject recruitment and data reporting) to be achieved during the project period. The awardee’s milestones and interim objectives may be provided to the Steering Committee for review of progress. It is anticipated that milestones may require some annual adjustment at the award anniversary dates, both to incorporate the awardee’s scientific accomplishments and progress in the field in general, as well as to reflect the recommendations of the Steering Committee.

2. Statistical Requirements

Key personnel for all awards made under this RFA shall include a statistician to serve as the project statistical expert, as liaison to BISC, and as the point of contact between BISC and the Principal Investigator for issues related to the design and implementation of statistical methods utilized by BISC for analysis of study results. Statistical analysis, data archiving, data submission to dbMHC and development of any necessary analytical tools will be the responsibility of BISC with input from the Principal Investigator, statistical liaison, and the Steering Committee (see Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award: Data Handling and Statistical Analysis).

3. Participation in the Collaborative Group

Each awardee must participate in the NIAID HLA Region Genetics in Immune-Mediated Diseases Cooperative Research Group (see Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award located in Section VI 2.A. This includes participation in two Steering Committee meetings in the first year of the project and annually thereafter. At least one of the meetings in the first year and the subsequent annual meetings will be held in the Bethesda, Maryland area. Budget requests should include travel funds to attend Steering Committee meetings for all Principal Investigators and for one project leader for U19 projects. Statistical liaisons are not required to attend Steering Committee meetings, but may be invited if statistical issues are to be specifically discussed.

Specific Instructions for Modular Grant applications.

Not Applicable

Specific Instructions for Applications Requesting $500,000 (direct costs) or More per Year.

Not Applicable

Plan for Sharing Research Data
The precise content of the data-sharing plan will vary, depending on the data being collected and how the investigator is planning to share the data. Applicants who are planning to share data may wish to describe briefly the expected schedule for data sharing, the format of the final dataset, the documentation to be provided, whether or not any analytic tools also will be provided, whether or not a data-sharing agreement will be required and, if so, a brief description of such an agreement (including the criteria for deciding who can receive the data and whether or not any conditions will be placed on their use), and the mode of data sharing (e.g., under their own auspices by mailing a disk or posting data on their institutional or personal website, through a data archive or enclave). Investigators choosing to share under their own auspices may wish to enter into a data-sharing agreement. References to data sharing may also be appropriate in other sections of the application.

All applicants must include a plan for sharing research data in their application. The data sharing policy is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing. All investigators responding to this funding opportunity should include a description of how final research data will be shared, or explain why data sharing is not possible.

Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the NIAID in accordance with the review criteria stated below.

As part of the initial merit review, all applications will:

• Undergo a selection process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit, generally the top half of applications under review, will be discussed and assigned a priority score.
• Receive a written critique
• Receive a second level of review by the National Advisory Allergy and Infectious Diseases Council

The goals of NIH-supported research are to advance our understanding of biological systems, improve the control of disease, and enhance health. In the written comments, reviewers will be asked to discuss the following aspects of the application in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals. The scientific review group will address and consider each of these criteria in assigning the application's overall score, weighting them as appropriate for each application.

• Significance
• Approach
• Innovation
• Investigator
• Environment
• Additional Review Criteria

The application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact and thus deserve a high priority score. For example, an investigator may propose to carry out important work that by its nature is not innovative but is essential to move a field forward.

Significance: Does this study address an important problem? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or methods that drive this field?

Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics? For prospective studies, is the evidence of successful experience in recruitment and retention of research subjects adequate?

The general review criteria for U19 multi-project cooperative agreement applications are presented in the NIAID brochure entitled "INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATIONS FOR MULTI-PROJECT AWARDS at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/grants/multibron.htm.

In addition to the above criteria, the following items will be considered in the determination of scientific merit and the priority score:

(1) Adequacy of the proposed plan for roles, responsibilities, and flow of data and other information between project statistical liaison and BISC staff, including the expertise and qualifications of the statistical liaison.

(2) Evaluation of the statistical power analysis utilized to ensure the validity of the sample size.

(3) Evidence of successful experience in recruitment and retention of Human Subjects.

(4) Technical and administrative feasibility of plans to conduct studies with Human Subjects.

Data Sharing and Submission to dbMHC

Timely release of data to NIH-supported and/or public databases is expected in accordance with the guidelines established by the Steering Committee and the NIH data sharing policy available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing/ One of the goals of this cooperative research group is to enter all data generated from these studies into the NCBI-maintained dbMHC database (http://www.ncbi.nih.gov/mhc), an open, publicly accessible platform for DNA and clinical data related to the human major histocompatibility complex. All data generated or analyzed through this cooperative group will be submitted to dbMHC through BISC. Data submitted to dbMHC will be released to the public on a schedule determined by the Steering Committee and agreed to by NIAID and the NCBI.

Monitoring Clinical Studies

When clinical studies or trials are a component of the research proposed, NIAID policy requires that studies be monitored commensurate with the degree of potential risk to study subjects and the complexity of the study. AN UPDATED NIAID policy was published in the NIH Guide on July 8, 2002 and is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-AI-02-032.html. The full policy, including terms and conditions of award, is available at: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/pdf/clinterm.pdf.

NIAID intends to support the peer-reviewed studies proposed in the awarded grant applications. However, under special circumstances (e.g., duplicative or overlapping specific aims among awardees), the Steering Committee will establish guidelines and review procedures, and will evaluate and recommend to NIAID opportunities for collaboration, redirection or modification of the peer-reviewed or new projects when applicable and necessary. This policy is in keeping with the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement mechanism. Any recommendations that result in a change in the scope of research projects must be approved by the NIAID Program Official and Grants Management Officer.

Awardees will retain custody of and have primary rights to the data and software developed under these awards, subject to Government rights of access consistent with current HHS, PHS, and NIH policies.

An NIH Project Scientist will have substantial programmatic involvement that is above and beyond the normal stewardship role in awards, as described below.

NIAID staff assistance will be provided by a Program Official from the Transplantation Basic Sciences Section, Transplantation Immunobiology Branch, NIAID Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation, or his/her designee, who will serve as the NIAID Scientific Coordinator. The NIAID Scientific Coordinator will have substantial scientific/programmatic involvement during the conduct of this activity through technical assistance, advice and coordination above and beyond normal program stewardship for grants, as described below.

During performance of the award, the NIAID Scientific Coordinator, with assistance from other scientific program staff who are designated based on the research topic and their relevant expertise, may provide appropriate assistance, advice, and guidance by: participating in the design of the activities; advising in the selection of sources or resources; advising in project management and technical performance; and participating in the preparation of publications for collaborative projects, as appropriate. However, the role of the NIAID Scientific Coordinator will be to facilitate and not to direct the activities. It is anticipated that decisions in all activities will be reached by consensus and the NIAID staff will be given the opportunity to offer input into this process. The manner of reaching this consensus and the final decision-making authority will rest with the Steering Committee.

Additionally, an agency program official or IC program director will be responsible for the normal scientific and programmatic stewardship of the award and will be named in the award notice.

An NIAID Program Official will be assigned to perform normal program stewardship responsibilities for the grants awarded under this RFA, including monitoring program progress and approving changes. The Government, via the NIAID Program Official, will have access to data generated under this Cooperative Agreement and may periodically review the data and progress reports. NIAID staff may use information obtained from the data for the preparation of internal reports on the activities of the study. However, awardees will retain custody of and have primary rights to all data developed under these awards.

Release of each annual funding increment by NIAID will be based on an NIAID review of progress towards achieving the previously agreed upon research goals, interim objectives and milestones. It is recognized that project goals may require revision and re-negotiation during the course of the project period. The NIAID reserves the right to terminate or curtail a study (or any individual award) in the event of a substantial shortfall in participant recruitment, follow-up, data reporting, quality control, or other major breach of the approved project.

Steering Committee

A Steering Committee will serve as the governing board of the HLA Region Genetics In Immune-Mediated Diseases Cooperative Research Group. Each member of the Steering Committee will have one vote. At a minimum, membership of the Steering Committee will include the NIAID Scientific Coordinator, each U01/U19 Principal Investigator, one additional individual project investigator from each U19 award, a member of the NCBI dbMHC development staff, and selected scientists other than the awardees when additional expertise is required for committee breadth and balance. The Steering Committee will appoint additional members by majority vote. In addition, the NIAID may appoint two external scientists to an Advisory Working Group (acting in a scientific advisory capacity to NIAID) and a representative from BISC to the Steering Committee as non-voting members. A Chairperson will be selected by the Steering Committee from among the non-federal Committee members. Subcommittees of the Steering Committee may be established as necessary. Each Steering Committee member will be expected to participate in all meetings and activities, e.g., conference calls and special subcommittees as required, and will be required to accept and implement common guidelines and procedures approved by the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will meet at least twice the first year and annually thereafter. At least one of the meetings in the first year and the subsequent annual meetings will be in Bethesda, Maryland.

Each full member will have one vote. Awardee members of the Steering Committee will be required to accept and implement policies approved by the Steering Committee.

The NIAID Scientific Coordinator will schedule the meetings of the Steering Committee and actively assist the Chair in developing the meeting agendas. The NIAID Scientific Coordinator will ensure coordination of the Steering Committee’s activities and implementation of its recommendations.

The Steering Committee will:

• Serve as the main governing board;

• Identify scientific opportunities, emerging needs, and impediments;

• Ensure the timely release of data through publication and/or release of data to dbMHC and/or other public databases;

• Develop guidelines for publication of collaborative project results;

• Prepare annual reports;

• Review and provide recommendations for human subjects protection issues as needed;

• Evaluate progress of the research projects and provide guidance to investigators regarding study implementation and conduct;

• Establish policies for data handling and interaction with BISC staff, including protocols and standards for data collection, analysis, and management; and

• Establish and/or approve procedures to integrate the data into a form utilizable for meta-analysis across disease areas.

• Recruitment of appropriate diversity in patient ethnicity, race, and gender;
• Inclusion criteria for the immune-mediated diseases under study;
• Collection of relevant phenotypic and/or pathophysiologic sample-associated data; and
• A common set of SNPs and microsatellites, including normalization of microsatellite sizes across instrument platforms

In order to most efficiently utilize research resources and rapidly exchange scientific information to promote HLA genetics research and NIAID objectives, it is anticipated that cooperation or opportunities to collaborate with other NIH funded programs will be initiated in future years and will be coordinated and facilitated by the NIAID Scientific Coordinator.

Data Handling and Statistical Analysis

The data generated by this cooperative group will be submitted to BISC. BISC is designed to manage data integration and statistical analysis, and will serve as a central data repository for NIAID-supported research in immune-mediated diseases, including linkages with high resolution HLA genetics information. Each awardee will collect and ensure the consistency and quality of their data, with assistance from BISC, as needed.

BISC Responsibilities

BISC will be responsible for data receipt, deposition, curation, archive and backup, recovery (as necessary), statistical analysis, and subsequent data deposition into and interface with dbMHC or other appropriate public databases (e.g., dbSNP, Genbank). BISC will develop and disseminate software for all data submission and analysis, and establish customized graphical interfaces for frequent and interactive communication with project investigators. BISC will also provide statistical software tools for local interim analysis (as needed), and assist with technical support in the collection, submission, and exchange of data primarily through the statistical liaison of each U01/U19 project. BISC will provide feedback to the statistical liaison regarding the quality of data submitted, and will accept data from the project(s) in a variety of formats (such as XML or tab-delimited text files), which will be determined in consultation with the Steering Committee and project statistical liaisons.

Data Sharing and Submission to dbMHC

• Scientific merit of the proposed project as determined by peer review
• Availability of funds
• Relevance of program priorities

Section VII. Agency Contacts

1. Scientific/Research Contacts:

Perry M. Kirkham, Ph.D.
Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Room 3045, MSC-6601
6610 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892-6601
Telephone: 301-496-5598
FAX: 301-480-0693
Email: [email protected]

Direct questions relating to BISC to:

Cheryl Kraft, M.S.
Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Room 3005, MSC-6601
6610 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892-6601
Telephone: 301-496-7551
FAX: 301-480-2381
Email: [email protected]

2. Peer Review Contacts:

Dr. Peter Jackson
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Room Number 3140, MSC 7616
6700-B Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892-7616
FEDEX ZIP: 20817-7616
Telephone: (301) 496-8426
FAX: (301) 402-2638
E-mail: [email protected]

3. Financial or Grants Management Contacts:

Ann Devine
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Room 2114, MSC-7614
6700-B Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892-7614
Telephone: 301-402-5601
FAX: 301-480-3780
Email: [email protected]

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NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices

			Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
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